Description
Cilantro lime grilled chicken dances with zesty Mexican-inspired flavors, promising a culinary adventure. Bright strawberry salsa adds sweet-tangy notes that elevate this fresh summer dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade:
- 2 limes, juice and zest (or 1/4 cup lime juice)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 jalapeno, finely diced (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Strawberry Salsa:
- 1 pound strawberries, diced (~2 cups)
- 1/4 cup red or green onion, finely diced or sliced
- 1 jalapeno, finely diced
- 1 lime, juice and zest
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant strawberry salsa by combining diced strawberries, minced onion, finely chopped jalapeno, fresh lime juice and zest, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Allow flavors to meld while preparing the chicken.
- Create a zesty marinade using lime juice and zest, olive oil, finely chopped cilantro, minced garlic, optional jalapeno, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces, ensuring even coverage.
- Refrigerate marinated chicken for 30 minutes to overnight, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Heat grill to medium-high (around 400°F), ensuring grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Grill chicken for 5-6 minutes per side, rotating once to create attractive crosshatch grill marks. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring chicken is fully cooked but remains juicy.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 3-5 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Plate grilled chicken and generously top with prepared strawberry salsa, garnishing with additional fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Swap jalapeños with bell peppers for a milder version that’s kid-friendly and reduces spice intensity.
- Marinate chicken for maximum flavor by using a resealable plastic bag, which ensures even coating and easier cleanup.
- For gluten-free diets, confirm all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free and use alternative seasonings if needed.
- Create a vegetarian alternative by substituting chicken with firm tofu or grilled portobello mushrooms, maintaining the vibrant marinade and salsa flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg